On Growing up

By Robert E. Gebbie

As an observer of human nature, I have noticed how often people look for reasons beyond themselves for the troubles in their lives. They make excuses and cast blame at others when things go wrong. Even the people we once looked to as examples in the professional and political environment appear to be doing more pointing at others than accepting any responsibility for their own failures.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but maybe it’s you. That’s right, I said it, and maybe the problem is not the situations around you, but you yourself. Perhaps it is time for a deep and honest evaluation of your own words and actions. Maybe it is time we all grew up a little, quit finding fault on the outside, and did some serious work on who we are as individuals.

Everyone has situations that are beyond their influence or control, not everything in life is neat and orderly. If it was, we would never have a reason to move forward. There would be little purpose to aspire to be anything more than what we are. The lessons that are learned from failure progress both individuals and humanity forward to seek a greater existence.

While I must admit not everything is your fault, and not every disaster or failure can be put on your shoulders, sitting with your head in your hands sobbing is not going to do you any good either. Get up, take action, do something about it. Quit complaining about what others are doing or failing to do to change the situation. Stop waiting for the world to make a decision for you, and become part of the solution. Nothing is going to change in your life until you take the steps to change it yourself.

Become your own hero and example. Inspire others to stand up and take control of themselves and their lives. Take charge of the things that you can have an influence over and create a better tomorrow. Take a deep look at who you are. The greatest problems may not be the things you cannot change on the outside, but those you are unwilling to change on the inside. Admit your imperfections, be honest and move on.

There are few guarantees in life, not even your own mortal or immortal survival is divinely granted. No one else is going to save you, take some control of your responsibilities and do something about it. Unhappy or dissatisfied by what the world has given you? Perhaps you have received what is rightly earned if all you have done is wait for those things to be handed to you. Everything comes with a price, and people must work for their place in this world and their everlasting mark in existence.

Get up, step away from that television or computer and fight for what you believe in. Make the effort to do something about your future, because if you don’t, the only person you can blame is yourself. Take action today or the tomorrow you hope for may be one that never comes.

New Personality Fan Books and Briar Wood Pipes

Some of the clients we shoot portraits of like to display their images in books.

Introducing Rachel’s 40 page hardcover book, “2010”. Her boudoir style book has been requested by so many of her friends, she decided to open it up for public sale. She offers a preview of a portion of her book, and invites you to take a look and see!
(Prices are set by our clients, and are shipped directly to you from the printer within 2 weeks of ordering.) Rachel's 2010 book
These books are offered to our portrait clients, and we hope to have more available in the coming weeks.

If you plan on being in the Las Vegas area, and would like to set up your own Book shoot, drop us a line at RGebbiePhotography@yahoo.com. We would be happy to discuss various options available for your photographic needs.



We would also like to share some new handcrafted Briar Wood Smoking pipes we just released for sale. These beautiful Briar Wood smoking pipes are designed for a comfortable fit in the hand. They have a plateau end which allows for a nice gripping area. Beautiful wood grain patterns throughout, gorgeous swirl and burst patterns. These fine quality pipe will last decades in your collection! Our Briar Pipes at etsy

A little bit about Briar Wood:

Briar grows in the arid, agriculturally unproductive land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its severe habitat, briar grows very slowly. A marketable burl must be 40 years old before it can be harvested. Larger pipes would require an older burl. Larger burls from 100-year-old briars are becoming exceedingly hard to find. This is compounded by the fact that all easily accessible sources of briar have been used up and the back breaking labor of digging up burls must be accomplished without the help of power tools.